FLOURMILL DESTROYED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17014, 12 April 1923, Page 7

FLOURMILL DESTROYED.

BIG BLAZE AT SOUTHBROOK The Zealandia Flour and OatnmM Mill at .South brook, better known at Moir’s Mill, was totally destroyed by tire last night. The mill was being woke cl in one shift and the employees leit at •» p.m., everything then being apparently safe. A few minutes before nine o’clock one of the employees, who was a little distance away from the mill, saw a light in the upper windows and, thinking that someone had turned on the electric light, started out to investigate. As he got nearer he saw that the glow was caused by lire and lie raised the alarm. Ihe South brook .Fire Brigade were quickly on the spot with their small engine, which, however, was altogether useless, the fire having obtained a firm hold, the flames shortly afterwards breaking through the roof. The brigade then turned theii attention to saving an adjacent grain store, in which there was a large quantity of wheat, and although the heat was intense, they succeeded in their efforts The mill, a large one of wood and iron, four storeys high, made a terrific blaze /foj- nearly two hours-, until there was nothing left standing but the chimney stack and the brick walls of the oatmeal kiln, the interior of which was gutted. The man who first saw the fire states that it -appeared to have started near the kiln, which was said to have beerclosed down safely at 4 p.m. It is probable that a fused electric wire was the cause of tho outbreak. The mill had an up-to-date roller plant with a capacity of half a ton oi flour an hour, and a similar quan titv of oatmeal and rolled oats. it was erected thirty-three years a*o f>v the late Mr AY. _Moir to replace the original flourmill built m th© early six ties, which was also destroyed by Tli© old mill was run by both steam and water power, but in the new mid steam was used until a few months ago. when electric power w as installed from the Lake Coleridge supply. Tt was worked by Messrs AY. Moil’ and Co. up till February last, when Mr AY. J Lore, of Invercargill, and now resident iii Christchurch, bought it a?, a goiny concern. The insurances could not lie ascertained last night, but Mr Lore is bound to be a heavy loser. Tt is understood that lie had a quantity of new roller plant just arrived in Lyttelton to be 1 installed in. the mill. INSURANCES ON MILL. Insurances on the Zealandia mill, which was destroyed by fire at South bridge last night, were £9500 on the building and machinery and" £2OOO on the goods stored in the mill, all in the New Zealand Insurance office. In values of the building and stock destroyed are estimated at £20,000. On the bulk store, which was saved, there was an insurance of £BOOO, also in tho New Zealand Insurance office. The total loss will be £11.500. ANOTHER FIRE. When a fire is reported in ihei-t© columns and the damaged property is yours, will you feel worried? Pefhaoa you will. But if you are wise you will remove all cause o/ worry by approaching us now and letting the Northern Assurance Company, Ltd., bear the risk. If a fire occurs our usual prompt and fair settlement will prove your wisdom. The Northern Company's assets are £15,000,000. Get .your quotations. G. G. and J. H. Aitken and Co., 94, Hereford {Street. The Mercer Patent Extinguisher reduces fire risks and safeguards property. Keep one in office, home or fac-